Usefulness of Tc-99m MIBI SPECT in predicting multidrug resistance gene expression levels in non-small cell lung cancer - a preliminary report

In this study we investigated whether Tc-99m hexakis 2-methoxy isobutyl iso nitrile (Tc-99m MIB1) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) ha s a correlation with the multidrug resistance (MDR1) and multidrug resistan ce-associated protein (MRP1) gene expression levels in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Fifteen patients with NSCLC were studied. SPECT images were obtained 15 (early) and 120 (delayed) min after injection of Tc-99m MIB1. We chose only one transverse section and set the region of interest over th e tumor and out of the body. The mean counts in the tumor on early and dela yed images were corrected by using those in the background and represented as Te and Td, respectively. Resected tumor specimens were frozen with liqui d nitrogen and each positive control cell line was cultured. After the tota l ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted from specimens and cell lines, the c omplimentary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) was amplified by the reverse tran scription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Each product was elect rophoresed and fluorointensity was measured. The gene expression level was represented as the ratio of that of the positive control cell line. Te and Td indicated a significant correlation with the MDR1 gene expression level (p = 0.015 and p = 0.022), but not the gene of MRP1 (p = 0.100 and p = 0.14 5). In conclusion, Te and Td are useful parameters in predicting the MDR1 g ene expression level, but not MRP1 in NSCLC.